He walked over to the chair that Chard and pointed to the previous day. As promised, Lord Marak’s name was engraved upon the chair. He sat down and examined the desk and small table. Writing instruments were on the desk as well as a candle. The small table held a glass and a pitcher of water.
Lord Marak sat in silence as he tried to gather his thoughts. He had managed to pick up enough information to understand how the meeting would be run, but he still pondered nervously the type of reception his words were likely to bring. The attitudes of the lords were as diverse as their clan colors. Lord Marak realized that he would find a few lords who might be receptive to freeing their slaves, as Lord Chandra had been the night before, but many more would find the thought repugnant and dangerous. While he never heard of a lord being attacked in the Imperial Palace, he was thankful for the large group of Imperial soldiers outside the room.
As the time for the meeting approached, lords began entering the chamber through the multitude of red doors. Lord Mark wove an air tunnel and sat in the back of the room directing the tunnel towards various groups of lords as they entered and greeted one another. To anyone gazing at him, he appeared to be lost in thought, but Lord Marak was rapidly identifying which lords might prove to be enemies and those who could become friendly with the proper persuasion.
“Good morning, Lord Marak,” Lord Shamino said as he took his place next to Lord Marak. “You are here early.”
“I wouldn’t want to miss anything,” Lord Marak smiled. “How are the other lords accepting you as the new lord of the Sorgan clan?”
“Mostly with disinterest,” shrugged Lord Shamino. “I do not think that Lord Quavry had many friends. Some lords who did know him pressed for details of his death.”
“What did you tell them?” asked Lord Marak.
“The truth,” grinned Lord Shamino. “I said that he died during the night in his chambers.”
“You have the qualities of a lord of Khadora,” chuckled Lord Marak. “Who was most interested in his death?”
“There were several,” replied the Sorgan lord. “The most persistent was Lord Patel of the Nordon clan. He is a member of the Lords’ Council.”
“Interesting,” mused Lord Marak. “Which one is he?
“Front row,” answered Lord Shamino. “His clan colors are green and white.”
“I see him,” Lord Marak said softly as he adjusted the air tunnel to listen to the conversation Lord Patel was having.
“Lord Marak,” greeted Lord Sevrin as he entered the Assembly Chamber. “What are you doing sitting here in the back?”
“It is my assigned seat,” replied Lord Marak. “Why do you find that strange?”
“The rear is usually for those lords who only have a single estate,” frowned the Ragatha lord. “You are more powerful than that.”
“Powerful?” questioned Lord Shamino.
“Certainly,” nodded Lord Sevrin. “Seating in the Assembly of Lords is not accidental. There is scheme to it. The most powerful occupy the front row where everyone can see them. The members of the Lords’ Council are always up front. As you move further back in the room, the clans become less powerful. At the very rear are those lords who only have a single estate. There has been a grievous mistake made here. You deserve to be moved forward quite a bit. Your holdings are on a par with mine. I shall speak to someone about this.”
“No,” Lord Marak declared. “Perhaps it is better that I am out of sight of everyone. I actually prefer to be seated back here. Let those who need the limelight to reaffirm their importance sit up front. I am quite content here.”
“Very well,” frowned Lord Sevrin, “but the other lords would pay more heed to your words if you sat further forward.”
Lord Sevrin departed and took his seat a third of the way forward. Lord Marak had just returned his attention to his air tunnel when he was again interrupted.
“So you are Lord Marak,” greeted the Morgar lord. “I am Lord Saycher. I am your neighbor at your Raven’s Point estate.”
“Greetings, Lord Saycher,” Lord Marak said. “I apologize for not coming out and visiting you since we took control at Raven’s Point. It has been on my agenda, but time seems to slip by so quickly.”
“No apology is needed,” smiled Lord Saycher. “I have had perennial problems with the Situ when they controlled Raven’s Point. The Toraks appear to be a much better neighbor. Your lord at Raven’s Point has been over several times, and I have visited Raven’s Point several times. I found your people to be most cordial and willing to discuss things. It is refreshing after dealing with Lord Ridak.”
“I am very pleased to hear that,” smiled Lord Marak. “I, too, found Lord Ridak rather hard to deal with.”
“No doubt you did,” laughed lord Saycher. “The one thing that I have not been able to pry out of your people is how you came into possession of Raven’s Point. Nobody seems to want to discuss it.”
“There is little to discuss,” shrugged Lord Marak. “I defeated Lord Ridak in battle. Raven’s Point was part of my spoils.”
“Yet you let the Situ hold onto some of their other estates,” mused Lord Saycher. “Why?”
“I had no desire to eradicate the Situ clan,” replied Lord Marak. “They have a rich heritage as do most of the clans of Khadora. I think it is important to maintain that heritage.”
“You have odd notions for a lord,” Lord Saycher said. “Still you did take Raven’s Point from them.”
“I had a use for Raven’s Point,” smiled Lord Marak. “I am sure that you have seen my ships off the coast. Fardale is certainly not suited to sailing.”
“Hardly,” nodded the Morgar lord. “I have indeed seen your ships, and they puzzle me. They are rather large ships. It hardly makes sense to ship cargo by water in Khadora. The roads are quite adequate. What do you do with your ships? Surely they are not fishing vessels?”
“I do have fishing vessels at Raven’s Point,” answered Lord Marak, “but I also have larger ships for moving cargo. As for the roads being adequate, I have lost three caravans recently on the roads of Khadora. That alone reinforces my desire to have ships to move my goods.”
“Ah,” nodded Lord Saycher. “I had not heard of your losses. I should think your troops could stop others from stealing your goods.”
“The attacks were not meant to be thefts,” retorted Lord Marak. “The caravans were destroyed, and the traces of the attacks removed. You see, Lord Saycher, I am at war. The problem is, I do not know the name of my enemy.”
“Not thefts?” echoed Lord Saycher. “That is dastardly and cowardly. Such warfare is unheard of in Khadora. I have a very good relationship with Lord Quilo of the Organila clan. He is a member of the Lords’ Council. I will speak to him about this matter.”
“I appreciate that,” Lord Marak smiled thinly, “but I feel that this is something that I must address myself. I cannot impose on the Lords’ Council every time I have a problem.”
“This is not just a problem, Lord Marak,” frowned Lord Saycher. “You must be well aware that there are many lords in Khadora that would wish you dead. I must say that your ideas are radical, and I implore you to reevaluate them, but some of them hold promise. I do not mean the slavery issue of course, but opening up negotiations with your neighbors rather than going to war is something that is long overdue in Khadora. Besides, if some other clan defeats the Toraks, I am apt to have another new neighbor at Raven’s Point, and I am quite happy with the one I have now.”
“I am pleased to hear your words, Lord Saycher,” smiled Lord Marak. “If I cannot come to a settlement with my enemy soon, I shall talk with you again about your friend on the Lords’ Council.”
“Very well,” Lord Saycher nodded. “I had better take my seat now. I think the meeting is about to begin.”
Throughout the large room, lords scurried to hurriedly take their seats. As soon as the room was orderly, horns rent the silence. A large door at the back of the stage opened and Imperial troops flowed onto the stage. The troops fanned out symmetrically and took up positions. A striking figure in white and gold followed the soldiers. He marched regally forward and stood at the edge of the stage. Lord Marak knew the entrance was merely for show, but he admired the effect it had on the assembled lords. The room was totally silent.